Improvement in gas-engines



4 She'ets-Sheet I.

F. DIECKMANN.

GAS-ENGINES.

No. 195,585. Patented Sept.25,l877.

DLFETERS. FHDTCLLITHOGRAPHER, WASHXNGTON. D C.

4 Sh etsSheet 2.

F. DIECKMANN.

GAS-ENGINES.

No. 195.585. Patented Sept.25,1877.

1 UN N b N-PETERS. PNOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D Q

4 Sheets-$heet 3.

F'. DIECKMANN.

GAS-ENGINES.

No. 195.585. Patented Sept.25.1877.

MPETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRKFHEFL WASNINGYDK, KLG

I 4Shee tsSheet4. F. DIECKMANN. GAS-ENGINES. No. 195,585, PatentedSept.25, 1877.

N- PETERS, PflO'D-UTHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON, D

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FERDINAND DIEOKMANN. OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAS-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 195,585, datedSeptember 25, 1877; application filed July 16, 1877.

- To all whom it may concern:

and my invention, in its most complete form,

comprises, first, a pair of rigidly-connected cylinders whose months oropen ends are packed to receive a pair of rigidly-connected hollowplungers, of smaller diameter than the cylinder-bore-a constructionwhich combines the advantages of extensive cooling-surface, remotenessof the packing from the heatsource, room for the deposition of soot outof contact with the plungers, and the non-necessity of imparting asmooth finish to any portion of the cylinders, which may, in fact, besimply rough castings; secondly, in connection with the above, a systemof water-cooled passages, both in cylinders and plunger-s; thirdly, theprovision, at the remote extremities of each supply and each exhaustpassage, of two valves, of which one is positive and the otherautomatic, and of which both close toward the passage; fourthly, anautomaticallyshifted torch or burner for igniting the charge; fifthly, aflame-inlet, guarded externally by a positively -actuated valve, whichcloses inwardly, and which opens simultaneously with the efi'ectiveshift of the igniting-torch, said inlet being guarded internally by avalve actuated by the alternately ingoing and outgoing currents, andclosing outwardly.

The term pot-formed, as hereinafter applied to my preferred form ofplunger, is intended to designate a hollow cylindrical body closedatthat end of it which is directed to the interior of the cylinderproper.

The term positive is applied to a valve which is opened and shut atspecific periods of the stroke by mechanical connection with themachinery, in contradistinction from a valve which opens and closes atvarying periods, dependent on the vicissitudes of pressure, and which Icall an automatic valve.

Such automatic valves in my device are of tW0 kinds, namely: first, suchas, while opened and closed by the alternating fluidpressures only, havea slight preponderating tendency to remain shut, and which I call clackvalves; and, secondly, those so delicately hung on vertical pintles asto yield to the slightest current in either direction, and

. which I call passive or door valves.

embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same onthe line a: as.

Fig. 3 is a front view of my fire-inlet in its normal or inactivecondition. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the same, the torch beingomitted. Figs. 5 and 6 are front views of said valve in the twoeffective positions of the torch. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of mysupply-passage. Fig.8 is a vertical section of my reservoir. Fig. 9illustrates a modification of my invention.

I employ, in the preferred form of my invention, two rigidly-connectedcylinders, A A, produced by transverse partition B in a tube A. Thistube is surrounded by a casing, O, inclosing a water-jacket, c.

D D are two precisely similar pot-formed plungers, held to truealignment and proper relative separation by rods E E. These rods mayterminate in cross-heads, of which one, G, being slotted, maycommunicate with flywheels F on the engine-shaft by any proper orcustomary transmitters, G.

Each plunger has, preferably, a water-lining, H, which communicates, bymeans of sleeved pipes I I, with customary cold-water circuit J K. Ofthese pipes the pipes I convey cold water to the lower part ofwaterspace H, while the pipes I conduct off the heated water from theupper parts of said spaces.

The plungers should,of course, have smooth 0 cylindrical peripheries;but the cylinders may be in the rough throughout.

The diameter of the plungers is considerably less than the bore of theircontainingcylinders, so as to leave an annular interstice, which is ofgreat practical importance. This interstice is, at the extreme margin ormouth of each cylinder, filled by any suitable packed projection orflange, L.

The aerated petroleum or other explodent enters the respective cylindersalternately by simple suction, and is afterward expelled by theappropriate plunger in its retrograde stroke. For this purpose thesupply-pipe M enters a chamber, N, having two passages, 0 O, whichcommunicate alternately with chambers P P, of which each conducts to itsproper cylinder A A at or near the extreme inner end thereof.

Similarly, the exhaust-pipe Q enters a chamber, R, having two passages,S S, that communicate alternately with the chambers P P. T T are twoslide-valves, attached to valverod t at such relative distance as toalternately permit the entrance of the desired measure of explodentthrough the supply-passage O or O to its respective cylinder. With thisobject in view said valves are located at the outer extremities of saidpassages.

Similarly, the exhaust-passages S S are alternately opened for theexpulsion of the spent fluids by two slide-valves, U U, attached to rodat. For this purpose the said valves are located at the innerextremities of said passages. The size relatively to their ports and thedistance of the slide-valves T T are such that the closure of one portis instantly accompanied by the opening of the other port, and in likemanner the size and distance of the slide-valves U U relatively to theirports are such as always to open one port just as the other is beingclosed, and vice versa.

For the purpose of working these valves, any customary or appropriatemechanism may be employed. For example, the two valverods t and u may behinged to the remote extremities of a lever, V, fulcrumed at v, andhaving link connection W with lever X, which is shifted alternately tothe right and to the left, at or near the termination of eachpiston-stroke, by means of tappets e e properly located on rod E.

To insure the automatic closure of the supply-passages 0 O at theprecise instant following the explosion-at whatever part of the strokethat may occur--I provide at the inner ends of said passages clackvalvesY Y, hinged by their upper edges and resting upon slightly inclinedseats, as shown.

Similarly, to insure the closure of the exhaust passages at the precisejuncture when the internal pressure falls below that of the atmosphere,I provide, at the outer ends of said passages, similar clack-valves Z,(and Z, not shown,) resting on like slightly-inclined seats. Theslightinclination of the clack-valve seats utilizes the weight of thevalves for prompt and effective closure, which it is desirable shouldalways precede that of the firevalve, to be presently described.

It will be seen that each inlet-passage, each outlet-passage, and eachfire-passage is doubly valve-guarded-that is to. say, each is furnishedat one extremity with a valve, opened and closed periodically, andpermitting for a brief period, and always in the same direction, thepassage of fluid, and each has at its other extremity a valve; which, byclosing automatically in the opposite direction, absolutely prohibitsthe slightest refluent current through either passage. By this meanseach passage is, in its appointed turn and for a brief period, traversedby its proper current of flame, or of live or of. spent explodent, andalways in one and the same direction. This action is of absolute andvital necessity in my arrangement.

The proper ignition of theexplodents with in each cylinder alternatelyis effected by the following means: 1 and 2 represent two passages,which communicate, respectively, with the several cylinders, at or neartheir innermost ends, through chambers 3 and 4. These passagescommunicate, at their outer ends, with the external air, and areprovided with a pair of slide valves, 5 and 6, upon a com.- monvalve-rod, 7, reciprocated by means of suitable connection 8 withtappets 9 and 10 upon rod E. The location of these valves upon their rodand their size, are such as, at the extreme positions of the rod, toopen one or other passage, the other passage meanwhile remaining closed,and in their middle position to close both passages.

The interior end of each firerpassage is furnished with one or a pair ofclack-valves, 11 12, hung on vertical hinges or pintles, in order thattheir weight shall have no influence on their motions. These valves Ihave, for distinction, named door-valves. The opening of my saiddoor-valves is wholly inward, and is limited by a stop or bar, 13. Whendouble, as shown, but one leaf or member covers the passage, the ofiiceof the other being to insure the closure of the first.

Moved simultaneously with the said slidevalves is an oscillating torch,14, which, at the proper instant in each stroke, is momentarilydeflected to one or other effective position. (Shown in Figs. 5 and 6,respectively.) This deflection is brought about by connection of saidtorch with valve-rod 7 by means of rod 15.

The torch 14, with its journal 16, may be hollow for the transmission ofany combustible fluid, and, when in its normal or inactive position,(see Fig. 4,) is immediately under a stationary burner, 17, which servesto reignite the torch should it become extinguished by the force of theexplosion or other cause.

That the torch l4 and the attached and the simultaneously-shiftingtire-valves 5 and 6 may, of themselves, promptly resume their normalposition, following each explosion, a counter-balance, 26, is providedupon that part of the torch 14 which extends below its fulcrum.

The above-described engine is intended to be placed in connection with asimple reser voir charged with gasoline or' other hydrocarbon liquid. Asuitable form for such reservoir is shown in Fig; 8, in which 18 is' anupright tank partially filled with the combustible' liquid, andhavin gan open pipe, 19, which, being introduced through a packed orifice, 20,is submerged more or less at discretion of the operator.

Evaporation of gasoline vapor may be prevented by a valve, 21.

From the top" of said tank the supply-pipe M conducts the aeratedgasoline vapor to the engine, as hereinbefore stated.

In order to maintain for a lengthened period an adequate body ofgasoline for the percolation and enrichment of the air, one or morehorizontal tanks, 22, may be provided, having communication 23 with tank18.

24 represents a charging neck having an air-tight cap, 25'.

The contents of the above-described reservoir not being subjected toartificial heat or pressure, and air entering only when the tankpressurefalls below that of the atmosphere, the accumulation of any dangerousvolume of explodent is rendered impossible. Such reservoir may belocated any distance from the engine.

The operation of said reservoir is as follows: Pressure within thereservoir falling below that of the atmosphere, consequent on thecreation of a partial vacuum within the engine, which may be effected bya slight movement of the flywheel, the liquid contents of pipe 19descend, and are replaced by air from without, which, bubbling upthrough the gasoline, becomes carbureted to a suflicientdegree toconstitute the wellkno-wn explosive compound, in which state it passesto the engine. Either an insufficient or a redundant impregnation of theentering air maybe rectified by rltgdown ward or an upward adjustment oftube The :operation of the above-described gasengine is as follows: TheplungersD and D being supposed in position shown in Fig. 1, then, thefly-wheel being rotated so as to move the plunger D in direction ofarrow, a suction will be created in cylinder A, which will draw in theexplosive material through the now open passage 0 until the plunger hasreached the desired point of cut-off, (which may be at any describedperiod of the stroke.) At this juncture the tappet 10, operating lever8, simultaneously opens valve 6 and brings torch 14 in front of passage2. At the same time the atmospheric pressure, opening doorvalve 12,drives in the flame, which, in turn, ignites the charge of explodent.The force of explosion then closes both the fire-valve 12 and thesupply-valve Y, and drives the plunger D to the end of the stroke. Whilethese actions are taking place the rod 8, escaping from its tappet 10,permits the torch 14 to resume its vertical position and to reclosevalve6. On reaching the end of its stroke, as aforesaid, the tappet e,striking the lever X, re-

verses slide-valves T T and U U, thus closing the outer end of thesupply-passage O and opening at its inner end the exhaust-passage S ofcylinder A, at the same instant opening the supply-passage 0 and openingthe exhaust-passage S of cylinder A.

By this time the products of explosion in cylinder A, by loss of heatincident to rarification and conduction, become condensed, forming apartial vacuum, which enables the atmospheric pressure to impel theplunger D in the reverse direction, carrying with it the plunger D, and,in turn, creating a partial vacuum in cylinder A, accompanied by aninrush of explodent through the already open passage 0.

The plunger D having, on its return stroke, reached the point where thepressure of the contents of cylinder A equals that of the atmosphere,and said plunger being caused to continue its stroke by the explosion incylinder A acting on plunger D, aided by the momentum of the movingmass, the valve Z flies open, and thus permits the contents of cylinderA to be expelled by said plunger D.

When the plunger D reaches its innermost position the tappet e, strikingrod X, again reverses the supply and exhaust valves, and, the variousmoving members having reached the point of departure, the operation isrepeated.

My said motor is believed to embody several useful features notheretofore efl'ectively combined in such engines. For example, theoriginal impulse of the explodent is utilized directly, or at firsthand, upon the drivingmember.

'Only aerated gasoline at or below atmospheric pressure being employed,to which air is admitted by simple suction alone, there is never anydangerous accumulation of explodent.

My engine is wholly devoid of pumps or other forcing apparatus forintroduction of the operated fluids, such introduction being effectiveby simple atmospheric pressure, aided by the vacuums generated in theoperation.

My packing L, being attached to the cylinder, and consequentlystationary, and at all times remote from the source of explosion, withits heat and debris, maintains its efficiency for a long period.

The annular interstice a between the cylinder and the plunger, byaffording space for collection of the debris of combustion out ofcontact with the plunger, enables the engine to work for a protractedperiod unimpeded by such obstructions, and said interstice, by exposingthe ignited fluid to contact with the cooled peripheries of bothcylinder and plunger, insures a prompt and efi'ective vacuum. Thisinterstice also permits the entire interior surfacerof the cylinder tobe left in the rough.

It will be seen that each inlet and each outlet passage has at itsrespective ends a valve actuated by the machinery and closing thepassage in one direction, and a valve actuated by the fluid-pressure andclosing the passage in the other direction.

The ofiice of the the first-named valves is to admit at the proper pointof the stroke the passage of the fluid, and that of the second named isto prevent any passage in the reverse direction, and to protect thefirst named against counter-pressures. Thus, in the fire-inlet, theoffice of the valves 5 and 6 is to determine when the flame shall enterthe cylinder, and subsequently to preserve the vacuum, while the officeof the door-valves l1 and 12 is to withstand the shock of the explosion,and also to insure the prompt and efl'ectual closure of the orifices 1and 2 against refluent action.

In the supply-passages O O the check-valves Y Y serve to close saidpassages at the instant of explosion,at whatever point of the strokethat may take place, and the slidevalves T T, by closing the passages attheir receiving ends at the conclusion of each stroke, prevent theinrush of air when a vacuum is created within their respective cylindersA and A.

In a similar manner, in the exhaust-passages S and S the clack-valves Zand Z, after the slide-valves U and U have been opened, preserve thevacuums alternately created in the respective cylinders down to thepoint of atmospheric equilibrium, but instantly open to any pressuretending outward, and the closure of the slide-valves U U before theexplosion takes place prevents the loss of explosive force through saidpassages.

Without the clack valves the operation would not be automatic, nor wouldthe slidevalves endure the shock of explosion, while without the supplyslide-valves the admission of the fluids could not be restricted to theproper points of the stroke, and without the exhaust slide-valves theforce of explosion could not be retained within the cylinder. Thisarrangement of valves constitutes a vital feature in my invention.

The automatically-shifted torch or kindler, by always encountering thestationary burner, secures its reignition in case it should becomeextinguished either by force of the explosion or other causes, and beingout of contact with the valves, except at the instant of ignition, thesaid valves do not become overheated or otherwise injured by the flame.Moreover, such torch can also be used for starting the engine, and forthat purpose may be operated from a distant point, if desired.

Having described what I conceive to be the best form of apparatus fordirect utilization of the explosive force in a dynamic engine, I reservethe right to vary the specific devices. For example, the engine, insteadof the duplex form represented, may comprise but a single plunger in asingle open cylinder; or the cylinders may be separated and the plungersunited, as shown in modification, Fig. 9.

The positive valves may be of faucet, and the automatic valves of ball,puppet, or other form.

A simple oscillating lamp or taper may be employed instead of thetubular torch 14.

The packing L may be of the well-known cup or other suitable form.

A spring may be employed instead of the weight 26.

I claim as new and of my invention- 1. In a gas-engine, (hydrocarbonmotor,) a cylinder having a closed end, at or near which explodents areadmitted or discharged by means of the doubly valve-guarded ports orpassages O O P P, and an open end, provided at its mouth withinwardly-projecting packing, which encircles a pot-formed plunger ofless diameter than the cylinder-bore, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

2. In a gas-engine, a pair of aligned and rigidly-connected cylinders, AA, having two opposing closed ends, at which the explodent is admittedand discharged by means of the doubly valve-guarded ports or passages OO P P, and two open ends, which inclose, by suitable packing L, a pairof rigidly-connected pot-formed plungers,D D, of less diameter thantheir cylinder-bores, substantially as set forth.

3. In a gas-engine, a cylinder having one closed end, at which the gasesare admitted and discharged by means of the doubly valveguarded ports orpassages 0 O P P, and an interiorly-projecting marginal packing for apot-formed plunger of less diameter than said cylinder-bore, when saidcylinder and plunger are provided with water-linings OH, substantiallyas set forth.

4. In a gas-engine, the combination, with the doubly valveguarded inletand outlet ports 0 0 P P and the doubly valve-guarded fire-inlets 1 and2, of a cylindrical tube, A, separated by fixed partition B into a pairof cylindrical open-ended compartments, A A, having marginal packings Lsurrounding a pair of potformed plungers D D, of less diameter, andrigidly connected by means of rods E.

5. In a gas-engine, the two rigidly-connected plungers D D, working inrigidly-connected and suitably-ported cylinders A and A, in combinationwith the doubly valve-guarded inlet and outlet ports 0 O P P and thedoubly valve guarded fireinlets 1 and 2, whereby the force of explosionin one cylinder is made to coact with the pressure of the atmospheremade available by a partial vacuum in the other cylinder, substantiallyas set forth.

6. The positive valve, arranged at the outer end of each supply-passage,and closing and opening periodically to arrest and permit the entranceof the explodent, in combination with a valve at the inner end closingautomatically against escape-currents, substantially as set forth.

7. The positive valve, arranged at the inner end of eachexhaust-passage, and closing and opening periodically to arrest andpermit the exit of the imprisoned fluids, in combination with a valve atthe outer end closing automatically against atmospheric access,substantially as set forth.

8. In combination with the inlet-passages 0 O and the outlet-passages SS and slidepose set forth.

9. In a gas-engine, the fire-inlets 1 2, closed periodically againstingoing currents by the positive valves 5 and 6 at their outer ends, andprovided at their inner ends with doorvalves 11 and 12, which openautomatically to all ingoing currents, and which close automaticallyagainst all outgoing currents, substantially as set forth.

10. The intermittingly-oscillated torch or burner 14, for alternateignition of the gases in the respective cylinders A and A, incombination with the valve-rod 7 and rod 15, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of the oscillating torch or match 14 and thestationary burner 17, for reignition of said torch, in the manner setforth.

12. In the described combination, the oscillatory torch 14 and thefire-valves 5 and 6, shifted simultaneously with said torch by suitableconnection with the tappets 9 and 10 upon rod E, said valves and torchbeing restored to their normal position by spring or counter-weight 26.

13. The combination, with a pair of conjoined cylinders, A A, andfire-inlets 1 and 2, of the stationary jet 17 and of the torch 14 andfire-valves 5 and 6, operated from the tappets 9 and 10, or other movingmembers, in manner substantially as set forth.

14. The combination and arrangement, in a gas engine, of the congeriesof compound 'valves Y T, Y T, U Z, U Z, 11 5, and 12 6, adapted tooperate in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

FERDINAND DIEGKMANN.

Attest WALTER KNIGHT, L. H. Bonn.

